our story

vision

As a leader in the automotive shop software industry, we are passionate about improving the businesses and the lives of automotive professionals and shop owners. Backed by the knowledge and power of a Fortune 100 parent company, our passionate employees continue to evolve the software to be scalable and configurable – so R.O. Writer can be your trusted business partner for the long term.

R.O. Writer empowers shops to optimize and streamline operations. We not only make fast work of otherwise manual processes, but also improve shop profitability on both parts and labor. Seamless tools for accounting, customer management, scheduling and more bring new levels of efficiency to shops small and large alike.

We offer completely customizable software, and thorough training. We'll form a strategic partnership with you that grows as your business grows.

R.O. Writer is the only software designed with each shop owner's exact needs and operations in mind. In this way, we enhance both your experience, and your customer's. And a happy customer is a return customer.

who we are

Since 1989, R.O. Writer has provided smart software solutions for automotive specialists, developed by industry pros. Our intuitive, user-friendly tools manage everything from part orders to shop accounting to inventory.

Reliable, Intuitive Features

Support For Your Business

R.O. Writer was specifically built to support and optimize every aspect of the customer experience, from the moment they call for a quote to the moment you return their keys.

Adaptable Tools

Simple upgrades, high quality add-ons,
and optional modules make R.O. Writer an ideal software system that grows alongside your business.

High-Quality Support

R.O. Writer's qualified team of industry experts represents the most trusted name in automotive software.

our history

From an engine knocking… to opportunity knocking.
It was the early days of software development, and the hobby of tinkering with cars led to tinkering with computers. There was a need, and R.O. Writer filled it!

1977

houston, texas

We began as a consulting company for dealerships. We worked to streamline the Service department, identify lost sales opportunities, improve profit margins, and help with bookkeeping.

One day, a Chevrolet dealer asked for help with their Parts department. After working with staff, we created a brand-new inventory management software and counter sales system. These steps increased profits for the dealer, and inventory was no longer a mystery process either.

Around this same time, General Motors™ had stopped publishing their price books, and the need for parts catalog management surged. We responded by updating the software to manage these new pricing catalogs. The spark to create R.O. Writer was ignited!

1989

houston, texas

R.O. Writer began as a DOS application — a text-based interface. The software’s popularity grew quickly, with word-of-mouth sales, few worthy competitors and ease of use.

The Windows version came out in 1996. Marketed as an “easy to use shop management software”, the processes were closely aligned with the real world — unlike other systems of the day. Shops were up and running quickly, and could add new items and people to the system in real time instead of through a lengthy setup process. They also were introduced to the ’Work In Progress’ screen for the first time — something no one else at the time was doing.

2004

itasca, illinois

Our success didn’t go unnoticed. One of our customers decided it made good business sense, both strategically and operationally, to acquire the company. In 2001, Midas purchased Progressive Automotive Systems and the R.O. Writer product, moving the entire operation to Itasca, IL in 2004.

Midas saw benefits from our success in retail, and strategically they were able to add customizations for their franchise operations; our retail customers saw them, too. Our staff took great care to keep the retail customers and Midas operations separate, including hardware infrastructure, websites and data.

2013

juno beach, florida

In 2012, TBC Corporation finalized an agreement to purchase Midas International, and its subsidiaries including Progressive Automotive Systems and the R.O. Writer product. Both operations were moved to the West Palm Beach area starting in 2013 and the Itasca offices closed in April.

New management took over Progressive Automotive Systems as an independent line of business. TBC Corporation officially entered the commercial software industry and has its resources at the disposal of the R.O. Writer team to make the best possible software package for independent shop operators and franchisees.

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See R.O. Writer in action!

We'll take you through a guided demo of the software, to show you how R.O. Writer can work for you.

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We'll walk you through the process, and design a customized solution for your shop.

Please drag the steering wheel to the car

Please drag the tool to the car so we can confirm you are in fact a human and not an internet bot.

Thank you for your interest in R.O. Writer!

Your request was successfully submitted and we look forward to providing you with more information about our software solutions for your business. One of our knowledgeable sales team members will be in touch soon!